How AI-Forged Group Photos Became a New Gray Market Tool Targeting Changpeng Zhao?

比推Published on 2026-02-05Last updated on 2026-02-05

Abstract

The founder of Binance, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), recently exposed a fake photo circulating on X platform that depicted him alongside a user claiming to be a "long-term supporter of BNB." CZ identified multiple inconsistencies in the image, including an unfamiliar blue-purple shirt, a non-existent event backdrop, and mismatched resolution between the figures, indicating digital manipulation. The original image was in fact a photoshopped version of a legitimate photo of CZ with Aster CEO Leonard. Notably, the account sharing the fake photo, which has over 863,000 followers, had already blocked CZ. On February 4, CZ publicly dissected the image’s flaws and pointed out that the account had an inconsistent history—initially posting non-crypto content before abruptly shifting to focus on BNB-related activities. He suggested this was not a simple prank but potentially a targeted influence operation. CZ confirmed he did not know the account holder and had previously blocked the user, a decision he now considers justified. He also addressed a fabricated "legal letter" that had been circulated and expressed concern that some media outlets had reported on obviously manipulated or AI-generated content without verification. He warned that failure to identify such forgeries could lead to significant consequences.

Author: Nicky, Foresight News

Original Title: Changpeng Zhao Targeted by Gray Market Operations

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) recently encountered "trouble" again.

In a photo on the X platform, CZ stands in front of an event backdrop alongside a user who claims to be a "long-term supporter of BNB." However, CZ quickly noticed something unusual—he never owned that blue-purple shirt, the backdrop does not exist, and the resolution of the characters is inconsistent, clearly indicating splicing and editing. Additionally, another photoshopped image was originally a group photo of CZ and Aster CEO Leonard.

What’s even more intriguing is that this account, with 863,000 followers, had already blocked CZ.

On February 4, CZ publicly dissected the details of the image and pointed out that the account's historical trajectory shows obvious discontinuities: early content had almost nothing to do with cryptocurrency, but later shifted to focus on BNB activities, with an unnatural transition in identity. In his view, such long-standing accounts built on forged materials are not just pranks but more like premeditated image manipulation.

CZ stated that he does not know the account holder and does not remember when he blocked them, but it now seems like the right move. Regarding the previously circulated so-called "lawyer's letter," he initially thought the forgery was too obvious to require clarification, but he noticed some media outlets still reposted and reported on the images. He warned that if even obvious PS or AI-generated content cannot be discerned, one may ultimately pay the price for it.

Meanwhile, some bloggers in the Chinese community have also discovered that a large number of accounts in the English-speaking region, with names or nicknames containing Chinese characters and "

Original link:https://www.bitpush.news/articles/7609077

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